Tornado Drills Scheduled for Next Week

Given the unseasonably warm – and unpredictable – weather we’ve been experiencing, the emergency response is planning a series of tornado drills in preparation for inclement spring weather. These will take place April 4-5; below is the schedule for your review and for your planning purposes:

Tentative Tornado Drill Schedule:

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

• Spectrum Theater 8:15 AM
• ATC 8:45 AM
• LRC 9:15 AM
• Music Building 9:45 AM

Thursday, April 5

• Calkins Science Center 8:45 AM
• Ford Field House 9:15 AM
• Student Center 9:45 AM
• Cook & College Park Plaza 10:15 AM
• Main 10:45 AM
• DeVos Campus | Sneden, White Hall & Admin Building 11:30 AM
• Tassell MTEC 2:00 PM

Thank you in advance for your participation. Please contact the Communications Department with your questions.

Mayor Heartwell to speak at Poet’s Conference Monday

Mayor Heartwell will preside at the opening of the Grand Rapids Poets’ Conference on Monday, April 2, 1:00-1:25 p.m. at 108 Sneden Hall, delivering remarks on the citywide importance of poetry as a cultural art form. This conference, featuring all of the past and present Grand Rapids Poet Laureates along with several other established local poets, is a first.

GRCC’s own David Cope is the current Poet Laureate and our event’s organizer. For the full story and a schedule of events, go to grcc.edu/grpoetsconference. The conference runs April 2-5.

Student-Organized Camfed Even to Provide Education to Girls in Sub-Saharan Africa

A group of Grand Rapids Community College students have organized an event to raise money to help send African girls to school. Camfed is an organization that strives to educate and empower sub-Saharan African females. $300.00 is all it takes to send a girl to school for an entire year in Africa, ultimately changing her life for the better.

The benefit show at Billy’s Lounge in East town will feature six different acts: Maniacal, Maurice Clark, Venson, March Forth, #LOMOBB, and Dean Martian will be Djing all night! 616 teknique break dance crew will be performing to amp up the party!These acts will be providing entertainment to those who wish to join in and show support for this great cause. All of these acts are from Michigan and have been a part of the Grand Rapids hip hop scene for a while. The line up consists of both individual artists and groups, all with hopes of providing unique, audience engaging performances to attendants. Along with these acts, a silent auction will take place. Artwork will also be created live by local artists, giving guests the opportunity to observe them perform their work.

The money raised will be used for school-related costs for the girls and women in Africa. Uniforms, books, supplies, transportation, exam fees, and room and board are some of the expenses that Camfed aims to cover for girls seeking education. Over 1.4 million children have been helped by this organization and the goal is to help them touch the lives of even more.

The benefit will be held Saturday, March 31st at Billy’s Lounge, 1437 Wealthy St. here in East town Grand Rapids. Doors will open at 9pm. All guests must be 21 years of age or older to attend. A donation of $5.00 will be collected at the door. All proceeds will be donated to Camfed. Come join us for a night filled with great music, art, and an opportunity to change a girl’s life. For more information about the organization please visit www.camfed.org.

Baking and Pastry Arts Students Working in Sugar – Photos

Check out this amazing work by Chef Marcia Rango’s bakery class.  All the works you see are done in sugar, if you can believe it:

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Sixth Annual Teaching, Learning, and Technology Showcase a Success

On Thursday, March 22 GRCC held it’s 6th Annual Teaching, Learning, and Technology Showcase.

The event was kicked off by a presentation of GRCC’s first ever “Excellence in Teaching with Technology Award”. Professor Grace Schwanda, an adjunct in the Music Department received her award at the event! Congratulations to Grace!

Over 50 faculty, administrators, staff, and students attended this event along with 13 sessions presented. Thank you to the follow presenters for taking the time to present to your colleagues:

• Mashups in Your Online Class (Grace Schwanda, Music)
• Communicating Online (Kate Byerwalter, Psychology)
• SubjectGuides: Digital Curation of Specialized Information (Lisa Rabey, Library)
• Blackboard’s “Project Ocho” – More Powerful AND Easier to Use! (Garry Brand, Business)
• Online Office Hours (Luann Keizer, Computer Applications)
• Reading, Writing, and Rubrics (Ann Alexander, Business)
• Occupy Facebook (Gary Ebels, Criminal Justice)
• Increase Interaction and Engagement with Blackboard Collaborate (Meegan Willi, DLIT)
• Student Tutorials in Physical Science (Joe Hesse, Physical Science)
• Flipping the Classroom with Lecture Video (Szymon Machajewski, Computer Applications)
• Advancing Online Learning @ GRCC (Eric Kunnen, DLIT)
• Blackboard Mashups (Tim Koets, Computer Applications)
• Facebook Groups for Content Sharing & Review (Shelly Richter, Nursing)

Thank you also to the DLIT staff, food services, facilities, IT, and Media Technologies for helping to support this campus wide event. Than you to YOU to for coming to this event to share with your colleagues.

More information including photos from the event are here.

Global Experience Festival 3/30/12

GRCC’s Hispanic Student Organization and International Student Organization are organizing the 2012 Global Experience Festival: “Raiders of the World.” Food this year will represent Italy, India, Egypt & Australia and the event takes place Friday, March 30, 2012 in the GRCC Gerald R. Ford Fieldhouse from 6pm-11pm. Tickets are $5 and are available from the Student Life Office.

Schedule of Events:

• 6:00 p.m. (Doors Open)
• Food served until 7:30 p.m
• 7:00-9:00 p.m. (Global Entertainment Show)
• 9:00-11:00 p.m. (World Music Dance)

Global Experience Menu

This year’s menu features “street food”, traditionally found being sold in cities by venders in our featured countries. Enjoy!

Italy

Panino de Porchetta | Traditional roasted pork with wine, garlic, rosemary, fennel, and other aromatics. Served on crusty bread with oil marinated peppers.
Struffoli | Small Italian fried doughnuts covered in honey and festive sprinkles
Italian Soda | Chilled club soda with a variety of flavors

Egypt

Fuul Medames | Thick fava bean stew served with copped egg and warm pita bread.
Koshary | Layers of pasta, rice, chick peas, onion, garlic, and tomato
Ghorayebah
Melt in your mouth almond cookie
Sugar Cane Juice

Australia

Sausage Sizzles
Grilled sausages, fried onions, bar-b-que sauce on white bread
Aussie Sliders | Fried burger topped with shredded lettuce, tomato sauce, bacon, cheese, and a pineapple slice
Lamingtons | Squares of sponge cake dipped in chocolate and coated in dried coconut
Fish n’ Chips | Lightly battered fish deep fried with hot French fries.
Ginger Beer

India

Chicken Waling | Fried chicken with traditional curry dipping sauce and assorted fruit chutneys
Paneer Pudding | Creamy pudding with cashews and almonds
Mango Lassi |The Indian version of a smoothie

Automotive Technology Department Accepting Car Repair Appointments for Summer Semester

Does your vehicle’s engine need a tune-up? Brakes pulsating and/or squeaking? A/C blowing warm? Check Engine Light on? Power window slow to close? Timing belt replacement past due? Got oil leaks? Experiencing bad vibrations? Hearing clunk noises over bumps? Need an honest (and free) safety inspection?

The Automotive Technology Department is again accepting appointments for the summer semester. The work will be performed under supervision of faculty members. Customers pay only for parts and supplies, with no fee for labor time. Total repair costs are often half of what is charged by a retail facility, and manufacturer part warranties apply.

The program accepts vehicles for maintenance and repairs that are up to ten years old. This year’s session starts on April 30 and ends on June 8. To schedule an appointment, please contact one of the faculty members in the department, preferably via e-mail.

• Chad Lodenstein clodenst@grcc.edu 234-3006
• Brett Atchison batchison@grcc.edu 234-3827
• Ben Smith bsmith@grcc.edu 234-3309

DLIT Attends miBUG Conference and Professor Garry Brand Wins Award at the Quality Online Course Showcase

On Friday, March 16, the Department of Distance Learning and Instructional Technologies attended the Michigan Blackboard Users Group (miBUG) Conference at Ferris State University. This event brought more than 75 attendees from colleges and universities across the state that use Blackboard in teaching and learning. The conference focused on the new features of Blackboard coming in Service Pack 8, mobile learning, a wide array of breakout sessions and topics, and there was a showcase of quality online courses where Garry Brand (Business Department Professor) took first place!

More information including a photo gallery of the event is located here.

Print Solutions New Toner Ordering Policy

Effective immediately GRCC is no longer allowed to order additional toner from Canon without a used cartridge; each Canon printer should have a maximum of one back-up toner cartridge per printer.  All future orders will require us to exchange one used toner cartridge for one new toner cartridge.  Please write Canon Asset ID on the used toner box when you remove it.

GRCC in the News – 3/29/12

Fight against concealed guns in ‘pistol-free zones’ ramps up after opponents caught off guard
Published: Thursday, March 29, 2012, 9:38 AM | Grand Rapids Press

Hospitals, colleges, schools and other groups are lining up to oppose legislation that would allow concealed handguns on their premises. Support from gun rights groups was strong, with little opposition, when an overhaul of Michigan’s concealed weapons law was unveiled at a Senate committee and easily passed last week. It now is before the full Senate. [… Caption:] A Grand Rapids Community College student demonstrates how he would carry his gun on campus if concealed weapons were legal there.  (More)

A Local First: Grand Rapids Poets’ Conference
MATT SIMPSON SIEGEL | THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2012 | Rapid Growth

On Monday, April 2, another first for Grand Rapids occurs when Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) hosts The Grand Rapids Poets’ Conference: A Celebration of Grand Rapids Poetry. The four-day event is set with panel discussions, seminars and learning sessions at 108 Sneden Hall during the day, and evening readings on the second floor of the GRCC library. All events are free to the public.  (More)

Organizer of upcoming Grand Rapids walk for justice in Trayvon Martin shooting case explains why event is necessary
Published: Wednesday, March 28, 2012, 9:55 PM | Grand Rapids Press

GRAND RAPIDS,MI — When Mary Kennedy heard of the fatal shooting that took Trayvon Martin’s life in Florida, she couldn’t help but think of her own son. […] Kennedy, a leader of Grand Rapids Community College’s black student union, is joining with student leaders from several area schools to organize a walk to call for justice in Martin’s case.  (M0re)

Meeting planned to detail new Wyoming program allowing high school students to earn associate’s degree
Published: Thursday, March 29, 2012, 7:30 AM | Grand Rapids Press

WYOMING, MI – Next month, officials with Wyoming schools will meet with parents about how their child can graduate with both a high school diploma and an associate of arts degree. On Monday, the school district entered into an agreement with Grand Rapids Community College to begin a middle college program this fall with 50 sophomores.  (More)

Grand Rapids Community College honors inspirational women
Published: Wednesday, March 28, 2012, 11:35 AM | Grand Rapids Press

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Grand Rapids Community College has honored four area residents as part of its 2012 Salute to Women. As part of its annual Salute to Women, the college recognized the women for their contributions to the college, the community and women’s history.  (More)

Probation officer and former University of Michigan football player finds himself on probation
Published: Wednesday, March 28, 2012, 10:33 AM | Grand Rapids Press

WYOMING, MI – Huemartin Robinson will keep his Kent County job as a probation officer despite the fact he will spend the next year with a probation officer to call his own. […] According to police records, the former University of Michigan and Grand Rapids Community College football player was stopped by a Wyoming Police officer checking on a faulty tail-light on South Division Avenue just north of 44th Street. The officer searched the vehicle finding the items, according to police. (More)

Reminder – The California Guitar Trio Tonight 3/29/12

The Grand Rapids Community College International Guitar Series Proudly Presents The California Guitar Trio 7:30 PM Thursday, March 29, 2012 in Room 200 of the GRCC Music Center at the corner of Ransom and Lyon.

Advance tickets are available in GRCC Music Department office. Call (616) 234-3940 for further information.

With a whirlwind of instrumental styles fusing classical, rock, blues, jazz, world music, progressive, as wellas the quintessential California musical genre surf music, the California Guitar Trio’s stunning virtuosity and sly sense of humor have earned them an enthusiastic following and wide notoriety, with significant cross over in the progressive, acoustic and classical music scenes. Notably, CGT music was featured on the television coverage of the 1998, 2000, 2002 and 2004 Olympics , and also on CBS, NBC, CNN, and ESPN TV programs.

The CGT performed on the 2003 Grammy Awards nominated track Apollo on Tony Levin’s CD Pieces of the Sun; and CGT music was sent into outer space as wake up music for the crew aboard NASA’s Space Shuttle Endeavor . Over the past 14 years of nearly incessant touring, the California Guitar Trio has shared the stage with superb musicians and performers such as: King Crimson, Jon Anderson, John McLaughlin, John Scofield, Tito Puente, Taj Mahal , Peter Rowan and Tony Rice, Dark Star Orchestra, Leftover Salmon, Sleepytime Gorilla Museum, Steve Lukather, Simon Phillips, David Sylvian, Adrian Legg, Kaki King and many others.

The concert will be held in Room 200 of the Grand Rapids Community College Music Center at the corner of Ransom and Lyon. Admission is $10 General and $7 for students and seniors. Parking is available in the GRCC student parking ramp with $1.00 guest parking voucher sold at the door. Call 234-3940 for further information or e-mail: bmorris@grcc.edu | Flyer Available Here (.pdf)

Race Power and Culture in America’s Black Eden at GRCC’s Race Ethnicity and Identity Conference – Video

Professor Robert Hendershot presents Idlewild’s Rapture: Race, Power, and Culture in America’s “Black Eden,” at GRCC’s Race and Ethnicity Conference:

GRCC Student Food Pantry Update 3/29/12

The GRCC Student Food Pantry has now been up and running for the past 7 weeks. We currently have 38 participants in the food pantry and are serving a total of 90 people (this number includes dependents). There have been 56 trips taken to the food pantry with 81 bags filled with food. The students have been extremely grateful of this service and have made numerous comments about how the pantry has positively impacted their lives. Below is an updated food pantry list to reflect the current needs.

If you would like to drop off any donations please do so in Student Life.  See below for the full list

Salute to Women 2012 Awards Reception – Video

Courtesy of GRCC’s Media Technologies Department, the video of the 2012 Salute to Women Awards presentation is now available online:

Race Ethnicity and Identity Conference Events for 3/29/12

Thursday, March 29th

Politics of Immigration in the European Union
1:00-2:30 p.m. | Assistant Professor Gordan Vurusic, GRCC

The Japanese-American Experience in World War II
3:00-4:00 p.m. | Professor Yan Bai, Ph.D, GRCC

Exploring Gender, Race, Ethnicity, and Childhood in the Andes: A Geographical Perspective
7:00-8:30 p.m. | G.T.U. Keynote: Kate Swanson, Ph.D, San Diego State | University; Location: Calkins Science Center